Resident doctors at GB Pant Hospital and Agartala Government Medical College paused their pen-down strike after health and police officials assured action over alleged false video claims, unauthorised filming, and privacy concerns involving a senior resident doctor.
Resident doctors of GB Pant Hospital and Agartala Government Medical College on Monday temporarily suspended their pen-down strike and protest after Health Department, police and college authorities assured them of action over a video that allegedly made false and one-sided claims against a senior resident doctor posted in the medical outpatient department.
The protest began early in the morning after a video circulated on social media in which a patient suffering from urethral discharge allegedly accused the doctor of inappropriate conduct during a physical examination and made further claims regarding the handling of his semen sample. The Resident Doctors’ Association said the allegations were serious and had publicly damaged the reputation of the doctor, while also raising wider concerns over patient and doctor privacy inside hospital premises.
Following the circulation of the video, resident doctors organised a demonstration at the hospital and raised slogans demanding justice and action against those responsible for recording and circulating the content. The doctors maintained that the video presented a one-sided version of the incident and that such content could undermine the dignity and professional reputation of medical personnel.
After discussions involving the Health Department, police and the college administration, the Resident Doctors’ Association decided to temporarily suspend the agitation. The association said it had received assurances from the authorities that appropriate action would be taken in connection with the video and its circulation.
A representative of the association said officials informed them that a case had been registered after obtaining permission from the court and that the person primarily involved in the matter had been brought to a police station for questioning.
Additional Superintendent of Police, West Tripura, Dhruva Nath, said police had received a complaint concerning the video. Since the matter was treated as non-cognisable, police obtained permission from the court before proceeding with the case.
Nath said the video, which was circulated around two days earlier, contained what he described as completely false claims against resident doctors and appeared to be an attempt to tarnish the image of the hospital. He said the police social media monitoring cell was actively following the matter and had contacted social media platforms to seek the removal of the video and other related content.
According to Nath, the main person involved had been brought to the police station for interrogation, while further investigation into the matter was continuing.
The Health Department also assured the doctors that action was being taken through the cyber cell. Additional Secretary of the Health Department Saju Vaheed said the original content had already been withdrawn through the cyber cell and that steps would be taken against further distribution and circulation of related material.
Vaheed said the government was treating the cybercrime-related issue seriously. He added that whenever videos connected with the incident came to the authorities’ notice, steps would be taken to have them withdrawn.
Apart from the specific video incident, the Resident Doctors’ Association raised broader concerns regarding photography and videography inside hospital premises. The doctors particularly highlighted sensitive areas such as emergency and trauma care, where unauthorised recording could potentially compromise the privacy of patients, attendants and medical professionals.
The association demanded strict action against unauthorised photography and videography within the hospital and also sought the public display of information regarding restrictions and penalties applicable to such activities.
Vaheed said existing hospital guidelines already prohibited photography and videography inside the premises. However, he said the question of imposing a complete ban on mobile phones required further discussion because of the large number of patients and attendants visiting emergency and trauma care facilities.
He said the government was examining the issue and would take necessary action. Vaheed also made it clear that unauthorised photography or videography aimed at creating false impressions or circulating allegations would not be tolerated.
Regarding possible legal action against individuals involved in unauthorised recording and circulation of alleged false allegations, Vaheed said relevant provisions of the Information Technology Act and the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita would be examined. Action would be taken under the applicable legal provisions after considering the facts of the case.
Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha, when asked about the issue, said he believed the hospital administration had taken its decision after applying its judgement. He also pointed to the problems that could arise from the use of cameras inside hospitals.
“Use of cameras leads to multiple issues. Instead of using the gadget for good purposes, it is used for other purposes. This is why the decision has been taken. Let’s see what results it yields,” Dr Saha said.
The resident doctors said they would closely monitor the action taken by the Health Department, police and hospital authorities before deciding on their next course of action. They made it clear that the protest had only been paused for the time being and that further agitation could be considered if they were dissatisfied with the official response.
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Before suspending the day’s agitation, the doctors also planned to hold a symbolic march to highlight their concerns regarding professional dignity, privacy and unauthorised recording within hospital premises.
The development has brought renewed attention to the balance between the use of mobile phones and cameras in healthcare facilities and the need to protect the privacy of patients and medical professionals. Authorities have indicated that the matter will be examined under existing hospital guidelines and applicable legal provisions, while the police investigation into the circulated video remains underway.
